Space Force   AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Defense & Militarization   Defense Policy  
Bloomberg • Katrina Manson, Kiel Porter, Sana Pashankar

SpaceX tapped to help build software “operating system” for Trump’s Golden Dome

SpaceX has been pulled into an industry group developing the software “operating system” underpinning President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome air-and-missile-defense initiative, according to people familiar with the matter. The reporting underscores how tightly Elon Musk’s space and satellite business is being linked to government defense needs.

2026-04-24T22:35:31.621249-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

USAF delays retirement of B-1 and B-2 bombers as B-21 transition stretches out

By Air Data News: Air Force plans nearly $1.7 billion in upgrades for both fleets after previously aiming to retire them in the early 2030s United States Air Force (USAF) is preparing to keep its aging Rockwell B-1B Lancer and Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit fleets in service longer than previously planned.

2026-04-24T22:57:04.210342-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Workforce & Skills Development  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

US Air Force graduates final class of new A-10 pilots as retirement looms

By FlightGlobal: The squadron that qualifies new A-10 pilots for combat duty graduated its last class of students in April, as the US Air Force moves haltingly toward retiring the venerable ground attack fighter.

Also: Aero-News and Aero-News
2026-04-24T18:18:14.422780-07:00
Space Force   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force awards up to $3.2 billion for Golden Dome interceptor prototypes

By SpaceNews.com: The awards, announced April 24 by the Space Systems Command, cover 20 agreements made in late 2025 and early 2026 using Other Transaction Authority contracts, a flexible acquisition tool designed to fund multiple competing designs rather than select a single prime contractor early in the process.

Also: Defense Scoop, defence-industry.eu, Defense One, Defense Daily, news.bgov.com and insidedefense.com
2026-04-24T16:24:07.924039-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

F-22 Raptor receives new anti-jam navigation upgrade for GPS-denied missions

By Air Data News: Northrop Grumman delivered the first production unit of the new system, which is also planned for the Navy’s E-2D U.S. Air Force’s Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is set to receive a new navigation upgrade designed to keep the stealth fighter operating in environments where GPS signals are jammed or unavailable.

Also: Aviation A2Z
2026-04-24T16:24:01.316703-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Aura Aero storms ahead with Enbata MALE drone development

By FlightGlobal: First flight of uncrewed air vehicle is targeted for later this year in line with French DGA schedule. French manufacturer Aura Aero says it remains on track to achieve a first flight this year of the Enbata medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drone it is building for its home nation.

2026-04-24T13:41:21.237147-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Ukraine’s Drone-Hunting An-28 Turboprop Is Now Launching Interceptor Drones

By The War Zone: The latest evolution of Ukraine’s rugged An-28 Cash turboprop counter-drone platform combines interceptor drones and Minigun armament. The latest evolution of Ukraine’s rugged An-28 Cash turboprop counter-drone platform combines interceptor drones and Minigun armament.

2026-04-24T13:11:48.356135-07:00